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"Let's find out!" He was already on the phone, letting the others know, and in less than ten minutes, everyone was in the conference room. "Somebody has spilled the beans to Valley Technologies. They've stolen our plans... I suppose it's my responsibility to call their CEO?" I told them.
"And they have applied for the grant just like us," Guy interjected.
"You mean they're trying to cut us out of the deal with the state?" Daniel asked.
"Exactly." I nodded. "We need to find out who is behind this!"
Everyone was fixated on the call with the attorney, who handled our legal work, "Joe Vandenburg here!" Vandenburg listened intently as I explained our situation, emphasizing Valley Tech was one of our top competitors. "We need to protect our rights, Joe!" I told him sternly.
The attorney thought momentarily, then spoke up, "I think the best course of action is to send them a cease-and-desist letter. That should stop them in their tracks."
"Let's do it," I said resolutely. "We'll need to take the necessary steps to protect the Golden Key software from theft or infringement."
Finally, he advised, "Continue with the grant process. Tell the state you have a patent pending and give them the number. That should make them think twice about doing business with Valley Tech. However, I highly suggest you run down the culprit in the meantime, whether someone is leaking the information, or your system has been hacked somehow. As for us, we'll research how far they are along with your patent."
We thanked Joe and ended the call. Rosedale had a plan, but finding out who was behind this would be no easy task. I rose from my seat, knowing I would have to enlist the guidance of Ms. Hawkins — as Valley Tech had — and support Meagan as she worked as fast as possible to finish the grant! The deadline was less than a month away. "Well, gentlemen," I said with a determined tone, "it looks like we have a thief to catch along with a psycho! Or maybe it's one and the same."
Everybody nodded and mumbled their concurrence. "We have the best criminal minds on our side, joking, not joking!" I said as a few snickers around the table lightened the atmosphere.
"I'm proud to say Rosedale has the best un-indicted hackers in the world!" Ryder told us as we all clapped, knowing it was true, while Courtney giggled and blushed.
"Courtney!" I exclaimed. "Get Ms. Hawkins on the line. We need to have a conversation with her!"
"While you're giving her a piece of your mind, I'm headed for the lab to do a full system scan to see if I can determine if and when our system was breached," Ryder told us.
"Wait for thirty minutes, dude," Daniel interjected, "give us some time to contact our families to let them know they won't be able to call us until the system is back up!"
"We'll need to collect everyone's phones to put in the secure box.... don't want to either fry them or set all our personal info free. It'll be easy pickings for the first hacker that comes along while our firewall is down." Daniel explained.
"Done and done, I'm on it," Ryder said.
"Not yet! Wait a few minutes," I insisted. "I need to text Meagan before I call Ms. Hawkins."
Me: Hey, beautiful! Why don't you just spend the day and night at the guest house? We’ve got a mess going on here at work. If you try to call, it won't go through. Miss you <3
Chapter Eighteen
Meagan
In anticipation of the results from my blood test, I observed a tempest slowly forming on the horizon while gazing out Joyce's office window. Thunder reverberated through the air, and a gusty wind began to whip around the building as I watched in awe at Mother Nature's majestic power. I pondered aloud as a single raindrop pelted the windowpane, "What mysterious surprises does Mother Nature have in store for me?"
A short time ago, we had arrived back at the rehabilitation center, where I had been comforted and guided as I relearned how to walk and talk. Although I was thankful for the successes that carried me to this moment, the conditions which brought me back were unimaginable in my wildest dreams. Especially since the staff doctor that took my blood to determine if I was indeed pregnant was the same doctor who scheduled me with the obstetrician — who placed the Nexplanon implant in my arm in the first place.
The door creaked, and I turned to see Joyce holding a tray with two bowls of soup and a yummy-looking salad. "You're so sweet," I said, taking a few sips of soup.
"Looks like you’re feeling a bit better, aren't you?" Joyce sat at her desk and opened a packet of saltines.
I shrugged. "If you call not crying and acting hysterical, I guess we can say I'm doing better."
"That's good to hear," she said. "We should be getting the results soon."
With my thoughts focused on the results, I only nodded silently, sipping my soup. No matter the outcome, I knew that life would be a wild ride from here on out. I sensed this moment was just the beginning of a journey. Whatever lay ahead would only be as challenging as my resolve to see it through.
Maybe this unexpected revelation was exactly what I needed to continue my path to regain control of my life. Being pregnant may give me a new sense of purpose and understanding that I lost after the kidnapping. As I alternated spoonfuls of soup with glances at my phone, I wondered if Chase had sent a text or called while I was distracted.
"I tried to call Chase, but it went straight through to voicemail," Joyce explained.
"Did you leave a message?" I licked my lips.
